Kings vs. Jazz: Missing Malik Monk, playoff race, latest injury updates, scouting reports

The Kings haven’t given up hope of securing the No. 6 seed and an automatic playoff berth in the Western Conference, but they have to start watching their back given the calamitous events of the past few days.

The Kings need a win in the worst way as they prepare to face the Utah Jazz in an Easter Sunday affair at Golden 1 Center. They are reeling from back-to-back losses to the Dallas Mavericks and a wave of injuries that could cripple their postseason aspirations.

Starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter is about to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum and Malik Monk will be out four to six weeks with a right MCL sprain. The Kings will likely have to reach the second round of the playoffs for Monk to return before he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Kings (42-31) have upgraded forward Trey Lyles to questionable for Sunday’s game. Lyles has missed the past nine games with a left knee sprain. Forward Sasha Veznkov, who has missed 22 games with a grade-3 right ankle sprain, is listed as questionable for the seventh game in a row.

The Jazz (29-45) has ruled John Collins out due to back spasms. Jordan Clarkson (left sacroiliac pain) and Lauri Markkanen (right shoulder impingement) are also out.

The Kings are eighth in the West with nine games remaining. They are two games behind the Mavericks for the No. 6 seed and a half-game behind the Phoenix Suns for seventh. The Los Angeles Lakers are 1 ½ games back in ninth. The Golden State Warriors are three games behind the Kings in 10^th.

The Mavericks visit the red-hot Houston Rockets on Sunday before returning to California to face the Warriors on Tuesday. The Suns will have Sunday off before visiting the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. The Warriors visit the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. The Lakers will visit the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings had won four of five to move up to No. 6 in the West before losing two to the Mavericks. They will conclude a five-game homestand when they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday before going East to play the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.0 steals. He is shooting 46.5% from the field and 36.4% from 3-point range.

Domantas Sabonis averages 19.6 points, 13.6 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (69) and triple-doubles (26). He has recorded 56 consecutive double-doubles, which is a franchise record and the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.

With Huerter and Monk out, the Kings will need the very best from Fox, Sabonis, Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes. Murray is averaging 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Barnes is averaging 12.3 points while shooting 47.8% from the field and 39.2% from 3-point range.

Scouting Utah

Utah is coming off a 101-100 loss to the Rockets. The Jazz has lost eight in a row and 19 of 22 dating back to Feb. 8.

The Jazz will be missing three of its four leading scorers. Markkanen averages a team-high 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Clarkson averages 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Collins is averaging 15.1 points and 8.5 rebounds.

The Kings will have to deal with Collin Sexton, who is averaging 18.8 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 49.3% from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range. Keyonte George averages 12.7 points and 4.6 assists.

Status updates

Vezenkov and Lyles have been cleared to play in Sunday’s game against the Jazz. Kings coach Mike Brown said neither player will be under a minutes restriction.

Jazz at Kings

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -12.5

Over/under: 223.5

Injury report

Jazz: OUT — Darius Bazley (G League); Jordan Clarkson (SI joint); John Collins (back); Kenneth Lofton Jr. (G League); Lauri Markkanen (shoulder); Jason Preston (G League).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Sasha Vezenkov (ankle); Trey Lyles (knee). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Mason Jones (G League); Malik Monk (knee); Jalen Slawson (G League).

Upcoming schedule

March 31 vs. Utah Jazz

April 2 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

April 4 at New York Knicks

April 5 at Boston Celtics

April 7 at Brooklyn Nets